Legit

The other day, a group of my 10th grade students was discussing the fact that our principal goes by "Dr. K."

This is how the conversation went:

Kid: "Why does she go by Dr. K?  She's not a doctor."
Me: "Yes she is!  She has a doctorate degree in something important like education."
Kid: "That does not count.  She is not a doctor."
Me: "She went to school for about a bazillion years; she definitely deserves to be called Dr after all that work."
Kid: "No, a person should only be called 'Dr' if he or she can save a life."
Me: "Well, what about Ryan?  In about a month, he will be called 'Dr.'  He can't save a life--but he can save a tooth."
Kid (after a moment of thoughtful silence): "Ryan could save a life."
Me (laughing): "Uh, I don't know if he could."
Kid: "He totally could Mrs. Nielson.  Ryan is legit."

I have to agree with the kid.  Ryan is legit.  He found out yesterday that he passed his Boards (thanks to his awesome patient, I'm sure), and now he just has a few more procedures to finish up before graduation.

He is almost done--and I am so proud of him.  When I think about all that he has learned and accomplished and endured, it almost makes me teary eyed.

I love my Dr. Nielson.  He is legit in every way.